Wood Fireplace Cleaning
Cleaning your wood fireplace regularly is a must for safe operation. Many folks in Wausau and North Central Wisconsin make this part of their regular fall cleaning schedule.
This annual cleaning process, however, does not replace having your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional. It’s also a good idea to have the chimney sweep do the stack cleaning before you do your home cleaning.
Here are the steps for the home cleaning:
- Cover the floor with a drop cloth to protect carpeting and other surfaces.
- Remove the log holder and andirons from the fireplace (if you have them). For ease of cleaning you can take them outside and spray them with a hose. A gentle scrub should remove any buildup.
- Next, shovel out the built up ash into a metal waste bin and then vacuum up the rest of the ash.
- Take a nylon brush to loosen any dirt (creosote) or residue that is stuck to the walls and/or the bottom of the fireplace.
- Next, use a cleaning solution and scrub the walls, mantel and surround, and floor of your fireplace with the nylon brush.
- Rinse the fireplace with a wet cloth and pat dry with a towel.
- Replace the log holder and andirons.
Gas Fireplace Cleaning
Homeowners can perform some simple maintenance steps to keep their gas fireplace operating efficiently and safely.
- Make sure you have the gas in the off position and that you allow time for all of the parts to cool before beginning. Your owner’s manual will provide instructions on how to open the front of the fireplace.
- Check the burner and control area. If you see dust or debris, use the vacuum cleaner to suction the dirt away.
- Next, take a fine paint brush to brush any dirt, dust, or spider webs from the gas logs. Be careful, gas logs are very fragile.
- Check carefully for corrosion or damage. If you notice anything wrong, call a professional for repair or replacement before you use the fireplace again.
- When cleaning the glass on the doors, do not spray onto the glass directly to avoid overspray. Spray onto the dry cloth. Clean the outside of the glass first, then the inside.
- Finally, use a clean, damp cloth with a gentle cleanser to wipe the outside of the fireplace. With regular cleanings, these parts will wipe clean rather easily.
Add Your Chimney to Your Fall Maintenance Schedule
Following are general directions for cleaning a wood stove.
- Allow the stove and ashes to cool before removing the debris from the box to avoid burns and to reduce the chance of the hot material causing a fire.
- Take a wire brush and scour the build-up from the baffle system or “ceiling” of the box and from the smoke pipe leading to the chimney.
- Scoop most of the creosote and ash out of the box with a metal shovel. Leave an insulating one-inch layer that aids in restarting the fire.
- Work slowly to keep the fine dust of the ash from billowing up and making a mess.
- Place the rubble, ash, and dirt, in a metal bucket in case any of the material is still hot.
- Dispose of the ashes in a non-combustible area—do not place them in your garbage can.
- If your stove has a glass door, make sure the appliance has cooled to room temperature and use a fireplace glass-cleaning product and a soft rag to wash the door’s glass section. Wipe the glass a second time to remove any film left by the cleaner, using another clean rag.
In addition, a qualified technician should inspect the venting system and chimney to ensure the wood stove is operating properly and moving toxic fumes out of your home.
Gas Stove Cleaning
If you are interested in cleaning your gas stove, take these steps.
- The ceramic glass window must be treated with care. When cleaning the window, use only non-abrasive cleaners and soft cloth.
- Open the door assembly and clean the inside of the glass with a soft cloth and water or a suitable, mild, non-abrasive cleaner.
- Carefully remove the logs and gently brush off any loose carbon deposits. This job is best done outside the house, wearing a dust mask. The logs are very fragile, take care not to break them.
Once per year it’s a good idea to have a qualified service technician completely inspect the appliance and the venting system.
Contact Us to to schedule an appointment today.